Manhattan Beach, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/28/2014 -- "There are two lessons school children must embrace as they head back to school," says Luigi Lombardi, the world's smallest stand-up comedian and self-proclaimed 'best looking comedian.'

"Without one of these lessons," says Luigi, "I wouldn't be here."

"You see, Luigi is a ventriloquist dummy. His creator, Justin Ver Burg, was bullied in school, and the ill treatment drove him to do something positive. One of which was to learn the art of ventriloquism and simultaneously carve Luigi out of a block of wood – at age 15!"

Justin is now a Comedian & Ventriloquist, although Luigi claims he is the star.

Luigi says the first lesson for kids is basic: don't bully. "It may be an easy way to gain the attention of your peers," says Luigi, "but it can simultaneously destroy someone else's life."

He knows this firsthand because Justin contemplated suicide as a result of the harsh treatment endured during school. "I'm glad Justin chose to push through," says Luigi, "or I wouldn't be here for the world to enjoy."

Secondly, Luigi believes those who are the victim of bullying should try to turn something negative into a positive. "Allow it to drive you to discover and develop your natural abilities," says Luigi.

Justin had no idea he could do ventriloquism before the bullying happened.

Robin Williams had a similar experience: Upon being picked on for being overweight, he spent his time by himself, mimicking TV characters, telling jokes to his mother, and using his imagination to bring toy soldiers to life. Many believe this laid the groundwork for his amazingly successful comedy career.

Whether bullied or not, Luigi says all young people can benefit from discovering their talents early on. He says the late Dale Carnegie stated it best:

"A young person ought to look for the single spark of individuality that makes him different from others, and develop that for all he is worth."

About Justin Ver Burg
Justin Ver Burg (a.k.a. FunnyDummy) has been asked by the Late Show with David Letterman to come to NY, appeared on NBC numerous times, and entertained at the Winter Olympic Games. He got his start as a Comedian/Ventriloquist/Song Parodist when classmates discovered he naturally spoke without moving his lips. He saw ventriloquism as a natural fit. His proposed forty-seven city tour, "Three Entertainers For the Price of One: Only One Has To Eat," starts August 29, 2014 at Hermosa Beach Community Theatre in Los Angeles. Most tickets are $45, while some VIP seats are $85. They can be purchased at http://www.funnydummy.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Manhattan Beach, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/19/2014 -- People often put too much emphasis on what happens between September and early June, when school is in session, and sometimes can overlook the pivotal decisions that kids can make during summer months, claims an entertainer.

"My life turned out completely different from my peers because of the way I spent my summers," says Justin Ver Burg, a Comedian/Ventriloquist/Song Parodist based in Los Angeles.

"Yes, I still hung out with friends, played some video games, sports, etc.," continues Justin, "but it was during the summer months that I devoted myself to learning the craft of ventriloquism. That's when I carved my dummy out of a block of wood, which has opened up major doors in my life."

Justin says his unique talent helped him get into the top college of his choice, meet his wife who was also his high school sweetheart, gain employment during college and develop his social skills.

"If you watch video of me before I became a ventriloquist," says Justin, "I was a shy, mumbling teenager. I had some of the poorest communication skills – which many claim are among the most important job skills. Being on stage has caused me to branch out and engage with people in a way I never would have otherwise."

So how does this translate to people who have no aspirations to be a ventriloquist? (LOL) Justin says he noticed, over the years, that others did that same thing, and it paid off.

An example, his friend Chris Allen, was a mediocre soccer player. But one day he decided to start practicing in his back yard four hours a day. By the time he was a high school senior, he was being offered full-ride soccer scholarships to such schools as University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, which at the time had the nation's top soccer program, and Notre Dame.

"My point is not to ruin kids' summers," states Justin. "It's to encourage people to discover what they're truly passionate about, and to develop said talent for all they're worth."

Dale Carnegie, famous author of How To Win Friends & Influence People, once stated, "A young person ought to look for the single spark of individuality that makes him different from others, and develop that for all he is worth."

Even if the kid's passion doesn't turn into a career, Justin believes doors will open up, and lessons will be learned that will shape the rest of their life in a positive way.For more information please follow http://www.funnydummy.com/comedian-ventriloquist

About Justin Ver Burg
Justin Ver Burg (a.k.a. FunnyDummy) has been asked by the Late Show with David Letterman to come to NY, appeared on NBC numerous times, and entertained at the Winter Olympic Games. He got his start as a Comedian/Ventriloquist/Song Parodist when classmates discovered he naturally spoke without moving his lips. He saw ventriloquism as a natural fit. His proposed forty-seven city tour, "Three Entertainers For the Price of One: Only One Has To Eat," starts August 29, 2014 at Hermosa Beach Community Theatre in Los Angeles. Most tickets are $45, while some VIP seats are $85. They can be purchased at http://www.funnydummy.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Manhattan Beach, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/13/2014 -- In 2006 Jeff Dunham broke out into National stardom with his Comedy Central special Arguing with Myself. Soon after, Ventriloquist Terry Fator made headlines by winning NBC's America's Got Talent. Shortly thereafter, Terry Fator landed a five-year contract with The Mirage Hotel & Casino worth a reported $100 million.

In 2009, Ventriloquist Taylor Mason said, "There has never been a bigger demand for ventriloquism in history. It is so incredible hot right now." Prior to 2006, ventriloquism was virtually non-existent in the public eye.

But where is it now? Are people tired of it? There certainly isn't the feeding frenzy for Jeff Dunham's products that there used to be. Yes, he's still earning millions annually with his tours and merchandise sales; however, the "newness" of it has certainly worn off.

Justin Ver Burg, a Ventriloquist and Song Parodist out of Los Angeles says, "I believe the demand continues to remain strong. In HBO's Talking Funny, Comedian Chris Rock said that the comedy industry is 'as strong as you are.' I think he nailed it on the head."

Jeff Dunham continues to tour internationally. Terry Fator was ranked number two on Forbes' list of highest paid comedians, just behind Jerry Seinfeld. Justin Ver Burg is launching his first national theater tour.

For now, it looks like ventriloquism is here to stay. If Chris Rock is right, it'll be around as long as the ventriloquists are offering what the audiences want.

About Justin Ver Burg
Justin Ver Burg (a.k.a. FunnyDummy) has been asked by the Late Show with David Letterman to come to NY, appeared on NBC numerous times, and entertained at the Winter Olympic Games. He got his start as a Comedian/Ventriloquist/Song Parodist when classmates discovered he naturally spoke without moving his lips. He saw ventriloquism as a natural fit. His proposed forty-seven city tour, "Three Entertainers For the Price of One: Only One Has To Eat," starts August 29, 2014 at Hermosa Beach Community Theatre in Los Angeles. Most tickets are $45, while some VIP seats are $85. They can be purchased at http://www.funnydummy.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm